Tattoo combs of the Fijian daubati

In Fiji women were the tattoo artists (daubati) and recipients of revered Fijian tattoo (vei qia). Daubati have been described as hereditary priestesses.

Girls were tattooed at puberty; the ceremony initiated them as women and signified their eligibility for marriage. Vei qia patterns varied between regions. Girls from eastern Viti Levu were tattooed around their loins; while young women from other regions had patterns applied around their loins and mouths.

The ceremony was extremely painful, and therefore was conducted in several sessions spread over weeks and months. The daubati painted guidelines on each girl’s body before tapping the desired geometric patterns into the flesh using iQia (tattooing combs) dipped in soot.

A celebratory feast was held four days after the vei qia was completed. Upon acquiring the vei qia, women received a liku (skirt) called the Vorivori ni susugi tiko (the debut).